Nourishing Our Bodies and Our Souls

Food. As the daughter of the world’s greatest cook (ok, I’m biased!), as a Registered Dietitian back in my professional career, and as someone who just loves to eat in general, I find myself thinking about food    A LOT! And at this time of the year, I’m especially thinking about hot chocolate, cozy casseroles, and the holiday opportunities to gather around the table with family and friends.

Food is a gift, both naturally and spiritually. From a natural perspective, food is a source of nourishment, healing, comfort, love, and community. From a spiritual perspective, God comes to us as food. The Eucharist we receive at Mass is Jesus Christ, who feeds our souls with the gift of Everlasting Life.

Sometimes, I take food for granted. I assume there will always be food on the table, and I often eat too quickly and too much. I may dine mindlessly in front of the tv, finish a big meal with an unnecessary dessert, and rely way too much on packaged and processed foods.
I’m reminded that our body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should honor it. This means not only putting effort into planning and preparing healthy meals, but also seeing God manifested in every morsel we eat. Praying before we dine can draw God’s blessing upon us and our food. By chewing our food slowly and savoring each bite, we can experience God’s generosity, while eating gratefully and joyfully.

We find throughout the Bible that Jesus often used food and a meal to connect with people and share His love. At the Last Supper, food became grace: “...He who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven…whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:57-58). The Eucharist we receive at Mass is the greatest love: God’s complete gift of himself as a sacred feast.

When we receive the Eucharist, we become part of the ultimate community, the family of God. In our day-to-day lives, we should strive to build Christ-like relationships not only with our friends and family, but with our local community as well. Our faith obligates us to feed the hungry and provide drink to the thirsty (Mt 25:35). We show Christ’s love when we donate to the food pantry, volunteer at a soup kitchen, and perform other charitable acts to help those less fortunate or alone. Sharing bread with others shows that we care, and it fosters human connection. As we gather at a meal, in a coffee shop, or while working in a pantry, we talk, laugh, cry, and grow in friendship and love. When we sit at the table, it’s about so much more than food.

I’m always amazed by how much time goes into prepping and cooking a meal, only to have it quickly consumed so that everyone can return to their activities. In our distracted, fast-paced, always on-the-go world, we need to prioritize the art of a ‘slow meal’ so we can be nourished both physically and spiritually by what we eat, where we eat, with whom we eat, and by Whom this food is provided.

The table is a place to remember the grace of God. We have the opportunity to enjoy the sacred feast of Christ each time we receive the Eucharist at the table of the Lord. May we also see the sacredness in each meal we share with others, not just at our holiday gatherings, but at our table each day. We are truly blessed. Thanks be to God who nourishes our bodies and our souls.

Linda Olsen, rectory receptionist     
              
reference: The Catholic Table, by Emily Stimpson Chapman